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Finding the Best Marriage Counselors Near Me: A Guide by Advanced Behavioral Health

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January 31, 2024

Finding the Best Marriage Counselors Near Me: A Guide by Advanced Behavioral Health

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In every marriage, there are moments of joy and periods of challenge. Sometimes, these challenges can be complex and difficult to navigate, prompting couples to seek professional help. Marriage counseling can be a transformative process, offering couples the tools and understanding they need to strengthen their relationship. But how does one find the best marriage counselors in their area? Advanced Behavioral Health, with its commitment to providing top-notch mental health services, offers this comprehensive guide to help you find the right marriage counselor near you.

Understanding Marriage Counseling

Marriage counseling, also known as couples therapy, is a type of psychotherapy that helps couples recognize and resolve conflicts to improve their relationship. According to an article from Everyday Health: “Marriage counseling can help couples address various relationship problems. With the guidance of a counselor or therapist, you can work on repairing your marriage after a betrayal, improving communication skills, and strengthening your friendship.” Through counseling, you can make thoughtful decisions about rebuilding and strengthening your relationship or going your separate ways. Counselors use a variety of therapeutic techniques to help couples.

What to Look for in a Marriage Counselor

Credentials and Experience

Ensure that the marriage counselor is licensed and has the necessary academic background. Look for credentials such as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Psychologist (Ph.D./Psy.D). Experience in handling issues similar to yours is also crucial.

Specializations

Some counselors specialize in certain areas such as communication issues, infidelity, or blended families. If your relationship is facing a specific challenge, it may be beneficial to find a counselor who specializes in that area.

Therapy Approach

Different counselors have different approaches, such as:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): An effective psychological therapy for various issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, marital conflicts, eating disorders, and serious mental health conditions.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): A therapeutic approach based on the significance of emotions in bringing about psychotherapeutic change.
The Gottman Method: A couples therapy technique involving detailed relationship assessment and interventions derived from the Sound Relationship House Theory. It aims to improve communication, enhance intimacy and respect, overcome relationship stagnation, and foster empathy and understanding between partners.

Research these methodologies or ask the counselor about their approach to see what aligns with your needs.

Compatibility

The comfort level and rapport between you, your partner, and the counselor are essential. You should feel heard, respected, and not judged. Sometimes, this may require meeting a few therapists to find the right fit.

How to Find Marriage Counselors Near You

Online Directories and Resources

Websites like the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and Psychology Today offer directories where you can find licensed therapists in your area. These directories often allow you to filter results based on location, specialty, and insurance.

Referrals

Ask for referrals from friends, family, or healthcare professionals who might have recommendations. Personal referrals can be particularly helpful as they come with firsthand experience.

Insurance Providers

Check with your health insurance provider for a list of covered therapists. This can also help you manage the cost of therapy.

Local Mental Health Clinics

Community mental health clinics, like Advanced Behavioral Health, often provide or can recommend marriage counseling services.

Initial Consultations

Many counselors offer a free initial consultation. This is a great opportunity to ask questions about their experience, approach, and how they handle specific issues.

Questions to Ask Potential Marriage Counselors

What is your educational and professional background?
Are you licensed and certified in marriage counseling?
How much experience do you have with issues similar to ours?
What is your approach to marriage counseling?
How do you define success in couples therapy?
What is your policy on communication outside of sessions?
What are your fees, and do you accept insurance?

Preparing for Marriage Counseling

Once you’ve found a counselor that seems like a good fit, it’s important to prepare for the journey ahead. Be open to change and self-exploration. Remember that progress takes time and requires effort from both partners. Set clear goals for what you want to achieve through counseling.

Conclusion

Finding the right marriage counselor is a crucial step towards healing and improving your relationship. Remember, it’s not just about finding the closest option, but finding a therapist who is qualified, experienced, and a good match for both you and your partner. Advanced Behavioral Health believes in the power of professional guidance to navigate marital challenges and encourages couples to take this positive step towards a healthier, happier relationship. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength and commitment to your relationship, not a sign of failure. Contact us today to learn more.

When you think of the well-being of a child, you first think of basic needs: food, water, and shelter. Once these needs are met, however, it’s crucial for a child to have emotional and social wellness as well. In this article, we will explore the impact social wellness has on the overall health of a child and great ways for children to garner social support in their lives.

It comes as no surprise that as human beings, we all need connection with others, no matter what stage of life we are in. In fact, having social support is a social determinant of health (SDOH) that significantly impacts the health of an individual. After spending the last few years in and out of isolation due to the Covid-19 outbreak, social support is more important now than ever before. Having social support means having family members and friends you can talk to and seek advice from when life feels challenging and overwhelming. Knowing you’re not alone in your life journey, especially as a child, creates a sense of belonging and empowerment throughout one’s life.

4 Types of Social Support

Emotional Support. This type of support lets you know that people care about you and have empathy for your experiences. Emotional support often looks like people checking in on you to let you know they’re thinking of you, and that they are there if you need anything. As a parent, make sure your child knows you can be a sounding board for them. If you have family members who can also show up for your children in this way, even better!

Practical Help. This type of support is when people give you something tangible or offer a service to help you out. This could be in the form of money, making food when you are sick, or helping to pack when moving. Having family and friends show up in this way shows your child what it looks like to be present for people you love.

Sharing Points of View. This type of support can often come in the form of affirmations and encouragement. For example, pointing out your child’s strengths to them and reminding them they can do anything they put their mind to. It can also look like sharing another perspective if they are being hard on themselves. For example, if they are angry with themselves after receiving a bad grade on a test, you can help them see it as a learning experience and a way for them to grow.

Sharing Information. This type of support is when someone shares what they’ve learned from their own life experiences. For example, if another parent has a child who struggles with socializing, they can share some tips and tricks they’ve learned to help their child find and create social support.

The Importance of Social Groups and Extended Support

Children who are connected to their family, friends, and people in their community have opportunities to learn how to speak, share, and get along with others. When your child feels connected to people in your neighborhood, it often allows them to feel physically safe which can alleviate stress and worry. Simply riding bikes, going on walks, and saying hello to neighbors with your kids can create this sense of security for them.

In addition to engaging with your neighbors, getting involved in local organizations can also create social support for your child. Signing up for a sports team, musical theater, art class or summer camp are all great ways to help your child meet new friends and learn important social skills that can carry them through their lives.

Tips for Helping Kids Make Community Connections:

Spend time outside in your neighborhood playing on the playground, going to a local farmer’s market, or scheduling a playdate with neighborhood kids.

Show your kids that connection is a two-way street. If your neighbors or friends go out of town, offer to get their mail, or water their plants and take your child with you when you go. This will show your child how you show up for people you care about.

Make sure you make time for socializing with friends as well. Your child looks to you first and foremost for how they should act and live their own life.

Encourage your child to step out of their comfort zone and do something they may be scared to do. As a parent, it’s your job to push them into something social for their own well-being at times.